In our shifting information landscape, it’s helpful for healthcare providers to have familiarity with some “go-to” resources that are reliable and dependable. Immunize.org creates and maintains resources to enhance the quality and safety of immunization practices. The website offers hundreds of immunization education materials for healthcare professionals and patients, some in several languages and all free of charge. You are encouraged to download, copy and distribute these materials.
This month we are highlighting four questions asked by providers about Immunize.org resources to ensure you have the tools you need to take care of your patients.
Question 1. In 2025, Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were briefly unavailable on the CDC’s website. Is there somewhere that I get uninterrupted access to these key immunization resources?
Immunize.org has long maintained a database with copies of all current VISs and VIS translations into more than 45 languages, making vaccine information more accessible to patients whose preferred language is not English. Immunize.org recently introduced printable resources with QR codes that can be scanned for instant smartphone access to current VISs, and one with QR codes for all 44 available translations of the injectable influenza vaccine VIS. These resources are evergreen, with updated VISs automatically linked to the QR code on the sheet.
Additionally, in early February 2025, Immunize.org created a database of PDFs of current ACIP recommendations as published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Let’s say you want to see the ACIP recommendations regarding measles vaccine. From the Immunize.org homepage, click the tab for “Official Guidance.” From the CDC (top left) choices, click on “ACIP Vaccine Recommendations.” You can then filter “Vaccine Specific Recommendations” for “Measles” and find five documents. For both the current and archived documents, you can choose either “Read at CDC.gov” or “View PDF.” Clicking the latter, you will access it directly from the Immunize.org database.
Question 2. In the office where I work, everyone turns to me to remember the details of the immunization recommendations. For example, “What is the first date for giving RSV vaccine during pregnancy?” “Is an empty rotavirus vaccine dispensing tube considered medical waste?” and “Should I aspirate before pushing the vaccine plunger?” Where should I look for reliable answers?
Immunize.org's Ask the Experts main page leads you to 30 distinct webpages on dozens of topics with more than 1,300 common or challenging questions and answers about vaccines and their administration. Familiarity with the “Ask the Experts” webpages will make you look like the smartest person in the room. (By the way, the answers are September 1; yes, it is; and no, you shouldn’t.)
Some of the answers are now available in short-form videos. See Immunize.org’s YouTube Ask the Experts playlist.
If you have a question that may be of interest to other readers, send it using the online form. It may be included in a future update. Please note that Immunize.org does not provide clinical guidance about specific patients.
Question 3. Where can I find photos of mpox and measles lesions to train clinicians who don’t know what they’re looking for?
Immunize.org recently added mpox images to its Image Library, and measles images have long been included. The Image Library is a collection of educational infectious disease photos. Most images are in the public domain and can be reproduced without permission. If an image is copyrighted, information is provided so you can obtain permission from the copyright holder.
How to find images for many infections: From the Immunize.org homepage, click the tab for “Clinical Resources.” The Image Library section (third down on the left) contains a list of specific disease-related categories (left side of the page) and links to other vaccine-related image libraries from CDC and the History of Medicine websites (right side of the page).
Question 4. Where can I review summaries of ACIP meetings?
Immunize.org posts a summary of each ACIP meeting in its free weekly e-newsletter, IZ Express. The ACIP summary is the top story on the Wednesday after the Committee meets.
More than 53,000 email subscribers rely on IZ Express to stay informed on a wide range of immunization topics: new CDC vaccine recommendations, FDA vaccine approvals, newly released VISs, immunization resources, notable publications, national and international vaccine news, upcoming events and more. Subscribers receive IZ Express every Wednesday at no charge; there is no premium version. Now more than ever, encourage immunization providers in your setting to subscribe to IZ Express.
Wrap-up
Providing great immunization services depends on accurate immunization information. Immunize.org is an outstanding source of highly accurate immunization information for healthcare professionals that keeps responding to the evolving needs of the healthcare community.
Related resources:
- VaccineInformation.org: Developed in consultation with CDC in 2002, this website for patients and parents presents non-technical information about vaccines for each age group and the diseases that vaccines prevent. The site also includes in-depth resources on addressing vaccination anxiety, vaccine safety, and the importance of immunization, as well as more than 100 educational video clips. This site currently gets about 1,800 visits per day.
- ImmunizationCoalitions.org: This website for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions enables cooperation and sharing of news and resources between coalition members. It also allows healthcare professionals, parents and other immunization advocates to contact their local or state immunization coalitions to request resources, share ideas or volunteer.
- Immunize.org Webinars & Videos: A variety of topics are covered, including recordings of live, 45-minute office hour sessions where you can learn simple tips for using the Immunize.org website efficiently and have your website questions answered.
Contributed by: Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH, FAAP
In our shifting information landscape, it’s helpful for healthcare providers to have familiarity with some “go-to” resources that are reliable and dependable. Immunize.org creates and maintains resources to enhance the quality and safety of immunization practices. The website offers hundreds of immunization education materials for healthcare professionals and patients, some in several languages and all free of charge. You are encouraged to download, copy and distribute these materials.
This month we are highlighting four questions asked by providers about Immunize.org resources to ensure you have the tools you need to take care of your patients.
Question 1. In 2025, Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were briefly unavailable on the CDC’s website. Is there somewhere that I get uninterrupted access to these key immunization resources?
Immunize.org has long maintained a database with copies of all current VISs and VIS translations into more than 45 languages, making vaccine information more accessible to patients whose preferred language is not English. Immunize.org recently introduced printable resources with QR codes that can be scanned for instant smartphone access to current VISs, and one with QR codes for all 44 available translations of the injectable influenza vaccine VIS. These resources are evergreen, with updated VISs automatically linked to the QR code on the sheet.
Additionally, in early February 2025, Immunize.org created a database of PDFs of current ACIP recommendations as published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Let’s say you want to see the ACIP recommendations regarding measles vaccine. From the Immunize.org homepage, click the tab for “Official Guidance.” From the CDC (top left) choices, click on “ACIP Vaccine Recommendations.” You can then filter “Vaccine Specific Recommendations” for “Measles” and find five documents. For both the current and archived documents, you can choose either “Read at CDC.gov” or “View PDF.” Clicking the latter, you will access it directly from the Immunize.org database.
Question 2. In the office where I work, everyone turns to me to remember the details of the immunization recommendations. For example, “What is the first date for giving RSV vaccine during pregnancy?” “Is an empty rotavirus vaccine dispensing tube considered medical waste?” and “Should I aspirate before pushing the vaccine plunger?” Where should I look for reliable answers?
Immunize.org's Ask the Experts main page leads you to 30 distinct webpages on dozens of topics with more than 1,300 common or challenging questions and answers about vaccines and their administration. Familiarity with the “Ask the Experts” webpages will make you look like the smartest person in the room. (By the way, the answers are September 1; yes, it is; and no, you shouldn’t.)
Some of the answers are now available in short-form videos. See Immunize.org’s YouTube Ask the Experts playlist.
If you have a question that may be of interest to other readers, send it using the online form. It may be included in a future update. Please note that Immunize.org does not provide clinical guidance about specific patients.
Question 3. Where can I find photos of mpox and measles lesions to train clinicians who don’t know what they’re looking for?
Immunize.org recently added mpox images to its Image Library, and measles images have long been included. The Image Library is a collection of educational infectious disease photos. Most images are in the public domain and can be reproduced without permission. If an image is copyrighted, information is provided so you can obtain permission from the copyright holder.
How to find images for many infections: From the Immunize.org homepage, click the tab for “Clinical Resources.” The Image Library section (third down on the left) contains a list of specific disease-related categories (left side of the page) and links to other vaccine-related image libraries from CDC and the History of Medicine websites (right side of the page).
Question 4. Where can I review summaries of ACIP meetings?
Immunize.org posts a summary of each ACIP meeting in its free weekly e-newsletter, IZ Express. The ACIP summary is the top story on the Wednesday after the Committee meets.
More than 53,000 email subscribers rely on IZ Express to stay informed on a wide range of immunization topics: new CDC vaccine recommendations, FDA vaccine approvals, newly released VISs, immunization resources, notable publications, national and international vaccine news, upcoming events and more. Subscribers receive IZ Express every Wednesday at no charge; there is no premium version. Now more than ever, encourage immunization providers in your setting to subscribe to IZ Express.
Wrap-up
Providing great immunization services depends on accurate immunization information. Immunize.org is an outstanding source of highly accurate immunization information for healthcare professionals that keeps responding to the evolving needs of the healthcare community.
Related resources:
- VaccineInformation.org: Developed in consultation with CDC in 2002, this website for patients and parents presents non-technical information about vaccines for each age group and the diseases that vaccines prevent. The site also includes in-depth resources on addressing vaccination anxiety, vaccine safety, and the importance of immunization, as well as more than 100 educational video clips. This site currently gets about 1,800 visits per day.
- ImmunizationCoalitions.org: This website for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions enables cooperation and sharing of news and resources between coalition members. It also allows healthcare professionals, parents and other immunization advocates to contact their local or state immunization coalitions to request resources, share ideas or volunteer.
- Immunize.org Webinars & Videos: A variety of topics are covered, including recordings of live, 45-minute office hour sessions where you can learn simple tips for using the Immunize.org website efficiently and have your website questions answered.
Contributed by: Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH, FAAP